[Rennerenner]

Okay, so for the past two months I've been seeing a therapist who diagnosed me as having cyclothymia after weeks of talking about my symptoms and observing me. Recently I agreed to go see a psychiatrist at his recommendation. That meeting was tonight.

At this meeting she interviewed me about my symptoms, even though my therapist said that she should have my mood diary and his information on my condition that he's taken down in note form. She didn't seem to know anything about me, and asked what I came in for. This caught me off guard, as I was expecting someone who had been briefed about my symptoms. After about 30 minutes, she said that I had "Mood Disorder NOS." She then prescribed me 20mg of Prozac and 25mg of Lamictal, I got my blood drawn, and was sent on my way.

I mean, I understand that I might not have cyclothymia, but my Therapist made this diagnosis after weeks of seeing me and me keeping a daily mood diary. This psychiatrist didn't really consider any of that, and basically started from scratch. I can't help but feel a bit off about the whole thing. I was also told I would have a socialworker present who would also be aware of my therapists diagnosis and notes. She wasn't there, so I felt like I wasn't getting an accurate diagnosis...

I don't know what any of this means, and I guess I just feel a bit off put. I'm supposed to start taking the meds tomorrow morning for two weeks and then go back.

[Kristiemarie]

Personally I'd trust the pdoc more but I don't know either. Second opinion, maybe? I guess the question is whether mood disorder nos is treated in the same way as bipolar....if so, it's just a lable and I wouldn't worry.

[Kristiemarie]

Found this explaination on another website from someone's doc....

He said that it's sort of a spectrum. If somebody doesn't have obvious mania/depression, but definately has debilitating mood swings, with anxiety disorder and panic disorder and some OCD they lump it all together and call it mood disorder NOS. That makes me think that soon enough, just like "Autistic Spectrum Disorder" soon the mood disorders will be called "Mood Disorder Spectrum." At any rate, those of you with kids with that dx.--that's what I was told it is. Of course, because of the liable moods, often you need a mood stabilizer.

[Rennerenner]

It's just frustrating to be given a label, and just when I'm starting to come to terms with it, it's taken away and replaced with something else. I just feel like my therapist had a better handle on what I was experiencing. I was nervous and didn't really know what to say to the psych doc, who I actually think was just a nurse? At least I thought she said that. For me having somewhat of a concrete diagnosis is helpful, as I feel like I have something to directly fight, like I'm not just swinging at it in the dark.

[BlueInanna]

My son went from bpI to mood disorder nos and back to bpI. Docs just have their own way of doing things and probably want to take their time with handing out the more serious dx, they should.

Keep on fighting for health and let go of the names, they really do tend to change a lot. Like your cyclothymia could become bpII then bpI, but these are all mood disorders.

It should get better when you get more appts with this doc, and get to know her better. Good luck.

[hamster-bamster]

I think your prescriptions are not inappropriate for cyclothymia.

[Rennerenner]

Thanks for all of the support everyone, I appreciate it.

@BlueInanna
Yeah, I went in understanding that a concrete diagnosis is somewhat unlikely. I guess the fact that they weren't given my therapists notes upset me a bit.

@hamster-bamster
What do you mean? I don't really know much about either med..

[faerie_moon_x]

Prozac treats depression and Lamictle is used as a mood stabalizer. They are used to treat bipolar as well. I've been prescribed both (at different times.) When I first went off Abilify I was prescribed Prozac by my OB but I didn't fill it, which was probably a good thing.

As for the Dx, when I was first diagnosed I was diagnosed Bipolar NOS because it was first visit. Then after working with a psychologist for a while I was given my other diagnosises of general anxiety disorder and schizoid personality disorder. Then after more observation I was given the ultra-rapid cycling with mixed episodes, possible psychotic features aspect, but I haven't been able to get back in for a while and not to the pdoc at all. So, I'm still Bipolar NOS with all this other stuff just kind of tacked on. At first I thought I was BP2, but as time goes on I think I am BP1, but I can't say for sure.